Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises up to an impressive 5896 metres above sea level. It is one of the world’s highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth; making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe. Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro emerges from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes. Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush forested foothills, soak up the breathtaking views or take a wildlife safari and spot some of Africa’s diverse wildlife including: elephant, buffalo, leopard, duiker, eland, hyrax, blue monkeys and more.

After breakfast transfer to Machame Gate. The tarmac ends and you drive through a marketplace and a small village with tiny mud houses flanking the sides of the road. A sign with a red paint mark starts here at about (6 400ft). The route winds up through the verdant rainforest, a breathtaking environment of chattering birds and monkeys. Packed lunch en route. The forest gives out into the heather at about 10 000 ft / 3000 m, (5-6 hrs). The Camp is about 50 meters to the West and water is plentiful from a stream 5 minutes down in the valley.  Dinner and Overnight.

Overnight: Machame Camp  

The Machame Camp is one of the first pitstops along the Machame Route of Mount Kilimanjaro. From the Machame Gate, climbers will hike for about 7 hours through the rainforest to get to Machame Camp. They would overnight at the camp before heading through the moorland towards Shira Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From the Camp, we cross a small valley and the route continues up the long steep ridge ahead. From the ridge, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira -the three peaks of Kilimanjaro – can be seen with Mt. Meru visible to the West on a clear day. It is gentle trekking on the rock ridges and through heather until the route turns west into a river gorge at 12,000ft/3,500m, (3-4 hrs). From here continue to the west, gradually ascending until the Shira Plateau is reached at 12,500 ft / 3800 m. Another 1/2 hr. brings you to the Shira camp. Even at this altitude, Eland and Klipspringer can be seen. There is a small stream 5 minutes above the Camp, where water can be collected. Dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Shira Camp           

Shira Camp forms part of the second leg of the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. There are 2 camps – Shira Camp 1 on the west side and Shira Camp 2 on the east. The Shira Plateau landscape features a tropical rainforest and shrubland where a range of flora and fauna species are found. Climbers might also spot the White Naped Raven.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue walking east and the looming form of the Kibo massif ahead. Shortly after the junction from where the Kibo North Circuit turns off, the route crosses a wide valley. From here the lava tower can be seen, which is also called the Shark Tooth. South to the glacier streams and, shortly before the Tower, we turn off towards Barranco Camp situated at 13,000ft/ 3,900m, 5-6 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Barranco Camp    

Barranco Camp is the third pitstop along the Machame Route climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro. This area of the mountain is semi-desert and the camp is set in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From here walk up to the road where you again ascend to Barafu Camp at 15,500ft/4,600m, 6 hrs. Pack lunch en route. The vast and barren moonscape of the Alpine desert is a very harsh and rugged environment where temperatures can range from 40 during the day to minus twenty at night. Only tussock grasses and a few tiny flowers can live at this altitude.  Uhuru Peak sometimes hauls itself through the clouds and it seems very close. The rare Lammergeyer, or bearded vulture, is occasionally seen up here. Dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Barafu Camp        

Mount Kilimanjaro climbers would approach Barafu camp at about the 5th day of the journey. The word ‘barafu’ is the Swahili word for ‘ice’, which refers to the cold climate at this altitude.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early start is required (01.00 am) for the summit attempt and Uhuru Peak is the highest point in Africa at 19,340ft/5,895m. The trail is tougher than anything experienced on the ascent with a sustained switchback climb through steep scree. Slowly and with regular stops is the best way to do it. After Stella Point on the Crater Rim, it is a very short but very long walk to Uhuru Peak. From the summit, it is a sustained descent to Mweka Camp and a day of some 12-15 hours of high-altitude trekking.  Lunch, dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Mweka Camp       

Mweka Camp is the final campsite on the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers would arrive here after a 7-hour hike from Summit Uhuru Peak.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day is spent descending through open moorlands and the glades of forest and straight down through the rainforest to the Park Gate. I packed lunch on the way down. After clearing all the paperwork at the gate, you will be transferred to Ameg Lodge or Similar for overnight on bed & breakfast.

Overnight: Ameg Lodge  

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight back home.

Meal Plan: Breakfast